CD Titles: A through C

Please contact me with your opinions and reviews of any import or bootleg CDs you've heard and I'll add them to this list.

Each CD title is linked to the track listings and venue information at Bob Willmot's site.

Page 26sep02

'59 Fender Stratocaster

Awesome Import CD!! This is a VERY RARE Import and hard to find!!! Sound quality A+!!!
The first 5 songs on this CD are of poor recording and it sucks cause those songs are the one Jeff Beck is on. I was a little disappointed when I got this cause JB was the reason I got it, but if you listen real loud they do an awesome rendition of Jeff's Boogie.
This does not look like a CDR -- as stated in the review details. as the artwork and picture disk are pretty good for a bootleg! I have had no problem copying this to CDR so there could well be proper CD's and CDR's out there -- what a surprise! However there are a number of failings on the Reading material that should be noted. There is a small cut on Pride and Joy -- which I have not noticed on other SRV Reading CD's and Texas Flood runs out of time and is thus incomplete. Also when you play it through a decent hi-fi you start to notice that there is a slurring on the sound from the drums, which becomes increasingly more annoying the more you notice it. This does run at the correct speed unlike the Good Vibes at the Spectrum (Midnight Beat) CD.
This is a CDR, so I wouldn't pay too much for it if I were you. The sound is fairly good, but definitely not excellent. I believe that tracks 1-4 originated from a video source. Tracks 5-16 can be found on a (silver disc) “import” CD called Reading '83. This is yet another example of someone making a cheap (homemade) CDR from other bootleg sources in order to make a quick buck...happens all the time these days.

Accolades
Important information about how this CD set relates to the actual Soul to Soul recording sessions and the other boot CDs that comprise parts of those sessions has been provided by Steve Toney, a member of the Texas Flood.

Accolades. I've heard 3 of the 4 cd's so far and it is great. I'm listening to cd 4 right now. Wow it's really great stuff mostly live some studio out takes.
“Things That I Used To Do” is on the 4 CD Accolades set as part of a 1984 show at the Opry House in Austin. I reccomend this set to anyone who can find it.
The quality of Accolades varies quite a bit. Lots of material though.
The first cd is very interesting, but is of poor sound quality. On that cd, you can hear early SRV with Lou Ann Barton belting out the lyrics, while Stevie plays his ass off in the background. The second cd is a better quality sounding cd with Stevie and brother Jimmie playing such tunes as Couldn't Stand the Weather and Kim Wilson singing the Crawl while Jimmie and Stevie trade licks. I really love this package for the 3rd cd which is studio outtakes from the “Soul to Soul” sessions. The workout on Little Wing and Third Stone From the Sun just blows me away. The fourth cd is SRV-DT live somewhere, but the sound quality isn't that great because Reese's piano and keyboards are turned way up in the mix, and sometimes drowning out the guitar. The package comes with a booklet.
Some incredibly fantastic stuff on these CD's but one track for me stand out from the rest. Disk 2 track 10 is the most unbelievable version of Little Wing I've heard. 13.20 magic minutes of absolute pure heart and soul. It just blew me away. I must have listened to it 20+ times in the last 3 days.
The Little Wing/Third Stone From the Sun from “Accolades” is the same as the El Mocambo video. Except the video only includes “Third Stone From The Sun,” not “Little Wing.”
It is 4 cd's covering SRV from 1979 through 1985. The sound quality ranges from audience (analog) to studio to soundboard. In addition to the 4 discs, the box set comes with a nice booklet that reprints some newspaper reviews and photos of early SRV shows. Sound quality on disc 3 is terrific - also there is not a lot of dead air between takes
I've just got myself the SRV + DT 4 CD Accolades box set and have been listening my way through them.There is some incredibly fantastic stuff on these CD's but one track for me stand out from the rest. Disk 2 track 10 is the most unbelievable version of Little Wing I've heard. 13.20 magic minutes of absolute pure heart and soul. It just blew me away. I must have listened to it 20-plus times in the last 3 days.
Little Wing/Third Stone From the Sun from “Accolades” is the same as the El Mocambo video. The video only includes “Third Stone From The Sun,” not “Little Wing.”
I like this cause it has some studio outakes and a lot of early stuff of Stevie. It also has my favorite version of my favorite song LITTLE WING!
“Little Wing” on “Hawk On Fire” isn't the version Stevie originally performed at El Mocambo. The version is from 10-20-83 Ripley's Music Hall! (Information about buying radio shows.) As far as I know, the only boot known that contains Stevie's “Little Wing” from El Mocambo is “Accolades”.

All You Can Get About Him

Alone In The Ozone

“Out of the Shadows” is the same as “Alone in the Ozone.” They are both identical sound wise (sound board recording that is very good quality). They have different graphics and both are well designed. This is a good concert with a very BB Kingish song called “Lost Your Good Thing Now.”
This is a very nice recording. Better than “Live Alive.” A pretty long interpretation of Voodoo Chile is followed by a really soulful rendition of “Lost Your Good Thing Now.” Other highlights -- Stangs Swang, Rude Mood. Texas Flood and Lenny remind me a lot of the Japan '85 show.

Alpine Valley

Overall sound quality appears to be the same as other titles containing Alpine Valley material (mono, below average to average audience recording).

A Tale Untold
Important information about how this CD set relates to the actual Soul to Soul recording sessions and the other boot CDs that comprise parts of those sessions has been provided by Steve Toney, a member of the Texas Flood.

“A Tale Untold (Vol. 1-4).” These discs appear to be identical to the 4CD “Life Without You” set, except for the addition of three tracks which have been tagged on to the end of CD #4. The number of tracks per disc has changed compared to “LWY” so that they could squeeze in the extra tracks. I don't know if the sound quality is any different than “LWY,” but it's probably similar. I also don't know who the manufacturer, and whether they are affiliated with Blue Knight Records (LWY's label) or not, so this may be a case of another “boot of a boot” with some extra tracks thrown in.
“Soul To Soul” studio sessions, plus some additional live tracks. Incorrectly labeled as having been recorded in New York, 1985 All tracks can be found on the Life Without You 4-CD set except for the last three tracks of CD #4. Sound quality may be same as LWY.

At The Steamboat 1874

Austin City Missing Hearts Vol. 3

Before They Knew Me

Best Little Blueshouse In Texas

Not a new show, but maybe a new CD, and even better quality. I think it is a soundboard recording.

Best Of Soul To Soul Sessions
Important information about how this CD set relates to the actual Soul to Soul recording sessions and the other boot CDs that comprise parts of those sessions has been provided by Steve Toney, a member of the Texas Flood.

Birthday Jam

Rating: ****, Length: 45 min
A fair audience recording. Great to hear Buddy introduce Stevie as “my best friend, Stevie Ray Vaughan.“
Way above average and that it is a must have if you are both an SRV and Buddy Guy fan...one of the top five to get. Sound quality is very good. Sound quality, tracklist etc.
Also on: “It's Still Called the Blues” NEITHER of these is an “audience recording.” Both are “from the board” and have excellent sound quality. “ISCTB” is about one point better in the audio quality department. The last 3 tracks on “BJ” are not part of the birthday jam, they are SRV from a different venue and date. Without a doubt, these live “Birthday Jam” recordings capture some of Buddy's and Stevie's best moments.
...the first tune is just Buddy and the band, he brings SRV out on the second tune, rarely have I heard sound quality this good on a boot CD, great performance, killer duets with Buddy Guy....nice change from the usual setlists found on most SRV boots...worth the outrageous price they charge for the so-called “imports” (this one cost me $22.50!)...
a great record with a very good sound and a lot of wild and freaky guitar work.
...the first tune is just Buddy and the band, he brings SRV out on the second tune, rarely have I heard sound quality this good on a boot CD, great performance, killer duets with Buddy Guy....nice change from the usual set lists found on most SRV boots...worth the outrageous price they charge for the so-called “imports” (this one cost me $22.50!)...
a great record with a very good sound and a lot of wild and freaky guitar work.

Blues For Japan

Brotherly Love
Important information about Colorado/New Mexico concerts and the supposed Auditorium Shores concert.

Burn For Love

Burnin' Strings

Chicago Blues Festival

Have any of you who own this boot ever noticed that track six is entitled Texas Flood, and Stevie even sings the lyrics to Texas Flood, but plays Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love? Wow! I've never notice how closely connected the two songs are. But there is no doubt, he's playing AGNGUOL, and not TF. Strange to say the least.
Concerning the Texas Flood cut from the 85 chicago blues festival, I can assure you he was playing Texas Flood and not Ain't Gone N' Give Up On Love. I was there in 85 and remember it well and I also have the recording of that performance. He just simply slowed it down a bit. As you know, there are a number of signature licks he uses time and again on many songs, and since they are both similar slow blues numbers, there are many licks that are interchangeable between those two particular songs. Hope this helps. Mark

Chicago's Cryin'

City Of Lights

I think its a good boot that is often overlooked. It includes a 24-25 minute take on Couldn't Stand the Weather and Life Without You. During a break in CSTW, Stevie talks about meeting each member of Double Trouble as he introduces them.
Each member of Double Trouble (including Reese) does a solo as Stevie introduces them and talks about meeting each of them (during Couldn't Stand the Weather).
About the sound quality, it was poor to me, but it's difficult to compare, because I'm not used to bootlegs. It was recorded from the audience, of course, and at moments it's difficult to hear SRV's guitar, but in general the music is audible with keyboards, drums and bass. The energy is great, as with all SRV live shows.

Cold Shot

This was recorded live in Tokyo 1985. Recording quality is good. The guitar and vocals are great, but the bottom end, Chris and Tommy are somewhat down in the mix.
Nice 15:05 version of Voodoo Child, and a sizzling 13:10 version/medley of Tin Pan Alley/Dirty Pool. My only complaint is that Lenny just fades out real fast at the end of the CD. If you get the Tokyo video you'll get Lenny in it's entirety. I love that extended Voodoo Chile! Another difference from CD to VHS is song order and no Testify/3rd Stone on the end.

Cold Shot (Vol 1)

Cold Shot (Vol 2)

Cold Shot (Vol 3)

(Vol 3) Good sound although bass is a bit heavy.

Cold Shot (Vol 4)
Important information about Colorado/New Mexico concerts and the supposed Auditorium Shores concert.

Cold Shot [Discurious, DIS208, 2CD]

The audio quality of the broadcast discs is excellent. “Cold Shot” [Discurious, 2CD] has excellent sound quality and is complete.
prime SRV. The sound quality on both is excellent (“Live In Montreux” [Swingin' Pig] is a little “brighter.”)

Colorado & New Mexico
Important information about Colorado/New Mexico concerts and the supposed Auditorium Shores concert. Information about buying radio shows.

As far as I know, “C&NM” is the only complete version of “Superstar Concert Series” [Westwood One Radio Networks, 2CD, Broadcast the week of 24 Apr 93. Recorded during the SRV/Jeff Beck '89 tour: Albuquerque, NM [Tingley Coliseum, 28 Nov 89] & Denver, CO [McNichols Arena, 29 Nov 89].
excellent sound quality.

Come On

Another shining example of his guitar-slingin' prowess. *GREAT* sound quality on this one -- sounds to me as if it came straight off the mixing board.
This is astounding... soundboard quality, the most charged performance I've heard.
Philadelphia live show on the boot is way better than “Live Alive” (and has much of the same material) -- unfortunately it is a soundboard recording and is not releasable quality.
SRV was on fire that night. Sound quality is incredible.
Favorite SRV CD-Boot: Hands down, “Come On” - everything that “Live Alive” should have been. Basically the same set list, but one HELL of a show.
I have a ton of SRV boots and here is my critique... To me, the best live boot is “Come On.” Incredible performance, great sound. It's actually my fave boot - period.
This is a boot of excellent quality
“Come on” (Philly 87, great show) and “Cold Shot” (Montreux 85) are both cool (I especially dig “Ain't Gone n Give Up On Love”), but you can find audio recordings on cassette that put the CD to shame.

Complete Dallas Rehearsals Vol. 1

same date as The Duke And The Hawk, with much better sound mix.

Complete Dallas Rehearsals Vol. 2

same date as The Duke And The Hawk, with much better sound mix.

Crawlin' To Texas

OK studio outtakes.

Crossfire
Important information about Colorado/New Mexico concerts and the supposed Auditorium Shores concert.

I bought this cd and love it dearly. The quality is excellent and claims to be from the last USA Tour in 1989.
It is excellent. Not only is the show great (includes Riviera Paradise!) but the quality is great. Get it if you can.
As far as all the versions of the Denver/Albaq show go, this is one of the best available on a single CD. Only thing its missing are two tracks (Life Without You and Willie the Wimp). For comparison, the entire show is available on “Colorado and New Mexico” which is a *double* CD with 14 tracks and only 17 min. more of music. This is 72:44 and 12 tracks on *one* CD. As in most other discs of this show (radio broadcast) it has excellent quality. Get it.
It is excellent. Not only is the show great ( includes Riviera Paradise!) but the quality is great. Get it if you can.
I bought this cd and love it dearly. The quality is excellent and claims to be from the last USA Tour in 1989.

D through F

main page to boot reviews